李彦民治疗类风湿关节炎经验

类风湿关节炎(RA)在中医学中属于“痹病”范畴,是临床中常见的难治性疾病,且呈年轻化趋势,迁延难愈。目前现代医学对RA的发病病因及机制尚不完全清楚。《素问·痹论》提出风寒湿三邪致痹,还有学者提出痰瘀致痹、肝肾亏虚等观点。李彦民主任医师根据多年临床经验提出RA的病机关键是络脉痹阻,其病机特点是虚实夹杂,临床辨证分为寒湿阻络型、湿热蕴结型、痰瘀互结型、气血两虚型、肝肾亏虚型等五型。分别采用祛邪通络和补虚通络等不同治则,辨证施法。李老师善用川乌、鸡血藤以及乌梢蛇等药以通络止痛,并主张辨证用药,内外兼治,多取良效。临床采用经验方仙龙汤,配合外用舒筋活络洗剂,且取得理想疗效。     

Atlantoaxial instability in a patient with neck pain and rheumatoid arthritis

Context: The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical decision-making process for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis with neck pain with underlying atlantoaxial instability.Findings: The patient was evaluated for worsening upper neck pain that began insidiously 1 year prior. The patient denied numbness or tingling in her upper or lower extremities, dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty maintaining balance with walking, or muscle weakness. Cervical spine range of motion was limited in all planes due to pain and apprehension. The patient’s neurological examination was unremarkable. Prior flexion and extension radiographs of the cervical spine were interpreted as unremarkable with alignment preserved in flexion and extension. However, upon further inspection, the cervical spine flexion radiograph was concerning for inadequate cervical motion, which may have limited the diagnostic utility of these radiographs. Additionally, a Sharp-Purser test was performed, which was positive for excessive motion. Flexion and extension radiographs of the cervical spine were then repeated ensuring the patient adequately flexed and extended during the imaging. Severe anterior subluxation of C1 relative to C2 with cervical flexion was noted, as C1 moved as much as 8–9 mm anterior to C2 with cervical flexion. Given the degree of atlantoaxial instability, the patient subsequently underwent successful posterior fusion from the occiput to C2.Conclusion/Clinical Relevance: This case report demonstrates the importance of properly screening for upper cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and neck pain and understanding the importance of obtaining adequate and appropriate diagnostic imaging.     

Reproducibility and diagnostic value of a new method using ratios to diagnose anterior atlanto-axial subluxation on plain radiographs

ObjectivesMeasures on conventional radiography are used to detect, especially in rheumatoid arthritis, upper cervical spine instabilities (CSIs) with the anterior and posterior atlanto-dental intervals (AADI and PADI) measurements. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic performance and reliability of AADIs and PADIs extrapolated based on ratios in assessing anterior atlanto-axial subluxation (aAAS) when plain radiographs do not allow the measures.MethodsRadiographies of 119 patients were randomly selected. Two blinded observers performed two measurements of the odontoid sagittal diameter (O), axis body base sagittal diameter (C2), AADI, PADI, Clark station and Ranawat index, and the AADI/O, AADI/C2, PADI/O and PADI/C2 ratios were calculated. The diagnostic value of AADI and PADI extrapolated from the AADI/O, AADI/C2, PADI/O and PADI/C2 ratios was evaluated using ROC curves, with AADI > 2.9 mm used as the gold standard.ResultsAmong the 119 patients, 12 patients had aAAS (AADI > 2.9 mm), 6 of them had severe aAAS (AADI > 8.9 mm and/or a PADI < 14 mm), and 6 patients had vertical AAS (Clarks station = 2 or 3 and/or Ranawat index < 13 mm). The AADI extrapolated from the AADI/O and AADI/C2 ratios has excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. The diagnostic value of the extrapolated AADI was high for aAAS (sensitivity 92%; specificity of 100%) and severe aAAS (sensitivity75%; specificity 100%). The diagnostic value of the extrapolated PADI was good but lower than the diagnostic value of the extrapolated AADI.ConclusionExtrapolated AADI can be used instead AADI to detect aAAS and severe aAAS.     

Sex differences in clinical characteristics and their influence on clinical outcomes in an observational cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more prevalent in women, but sex differences remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate sex differences in clinical characteristics and their potential impact on clinical outcomes in a large Korean cohort of patients with RA.MethodsIn total, 5376 RA patients from the KORean Observational study Network for Arthritis (KORONA) database were examined at baseline and for 3 consecutive years using the disease activity score 28 (DAS28), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Within a subgroup with active disease (DAS28 ≥ 3.2) at baseline, sex impacts on clinical outcome during follow-up were analyzed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. The factors related to achieving clinical remission were analyzed using Cox-proportional hazard regression.ResultsAt baseline, women (n = 4574) were younger and had more erosive disease and longer disease duration than men (n = 802) with higher scores in DAS28, HAQ, and PROs. The prevalence of interstitial lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in men was higher than that of women. In a RA subgroup with active disease at baseline, GEE analyses demonstrated that women RA significantly influenced the rate of change of DAS28 over time. In that group, men are associated with achieving DAS28 sustained remission and point remission.ConclusionsWomen with RA in Korea report higher levels of disease activity and PROs compared to men, whereas most comorbidities were more prevalent in men. The longitudinal change in disease activity and the rate of achieving clinical remission were found to be worse in women with RA.     

Immediate rehabilitation of a rheumatoid arthritis patient with single-piece implants

Introduction and importanceThe aim of this article is to report the long-term outcome of full mouth rehabilitation with single piece, smooth surface implants following immediate loading protocol on a patient suffering with RA and severe unilateral condylar resorption.Case presentationHere, we present a challenging case of a patient suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis who was stabilized and completed successfully with a 4 year follow-up period. Prosthetic management optimized the inter-occlusal relationship to maintain both function and esthetic integrity. Single piece implants are designed to engage and take support from the cortical bone low in metabolic activities thus promoting the force transmission through apical threads that are engaged in the cortical bone.DiscussionRheumatoid Arthritis [RA] is an auto-immune inflammatory condition in which the inflamed and hypertrophic synovial membrane grows into the articulation surfaces. The Temporomandibular Joints [TM] are frequently involved in rheumatoid arthritis. According to the literature on RA, due to frequent periodontitis, decreased salivary secretion, medication, as well as decrease in bone regenerative potential, RA is often considered as a relative contraindication in the use of implants. Atrophic jaws and cases with comorbidities like osteoporosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontally infected cases are restored with high success by single piece smooth surface.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this may be the first case of immediate functional loading by bi-cortical single piece implants.     

Higher mortality rates associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Saskatchewan,Canada, 2001–2019

ObjectivesTo estimate provincial all-cause mortality rates of Saskatchewan people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for comparison with the general population over time and between different geographic regions.MethodsSaskatchewan provincial administrative health databases (2001–2019) were utilized as data sources. Two RA case definitions were employed: (1) ≥ 3 physician billing diagnoses, at least 1 from a specialist (rheumatologist, general internist or orthopaedic surgeon) within 2 years; (2) ≥ 1 hospitalization diagnosis (ICD-9 code 714, and ICD-10-CA codes M05, M06). Data from these definitions were combined to create an administrative data RA cohort. All-cause mortality rates across geographic regions, between rural/urban residences and between sexes were examined.ResultsOver an 18-year span, between fiscal-year 2001–2002 and fiscal-year 2018–2019, age- and sex-adjusted mortality rates ranged from 17.10 to 21.04 (95% CI 14.77, 19.44; 18.03, 24.05)/1000 RA person-years, compared with mortality rates for the general Saskatchewan population without RA, which ranged from 9.37 to 10.88 (95% CI 9.23, 9.51; 10.72, 11.05)/1000 person-years. Fiscal-year mortality rate ratios ranged from 1.82 to 2.13 (95% CI 1.56, 2.13; 1.83, 2.46). Provincial mortality rates were higher in men than in women for both general and RA populations. Northern Saskatchewan mortality rates were significantly higher in the general population but did not achieve significance compared with other provincial regions for the RA population. Regression analysis identified age, male sex, RA and geographic region as factors contributing to increased mortality. A trend towards lower mortality rates over time was observed.ConclusionHigher mortality rates were observed in the RA population overall. Men had higher mortality rates, as did residents of Northern Saskatchewan compared with residents of other regions for the general population.     

海南省2311例关节炎症状患者的莱姆病抗体血清学研究

目的探讨海南省关节炎症状患者的莱姆病感染状况,为莱姆病的防控提供依据。方法采用抽样调查方法,2013至2018年在海南省8个市(县)(海口市、三亚市、儋州市、东方市、文昌市、琼海市、琼中县、五指山市)的医疗机构,对其进行抽样调查,收集2 311例关节炎症状就诊的患者血清标本,并对临床资料进行描述性研究。采用间接免疫荧光法(IFA)对血清标本进行莱姆病抗体初筛检测,并采用免疫印迹法(WB)对IFA检测阳性的血清标本进行确诊实验。采用χ²检验进行统计分析。结果 IFA方法检测血清样本2 311份,166份阳性,阳性率7.18%。进一步用 WB方法确认,62份阳性, 莱姆病抗体阳性率为2.68%(62/2 311)。海南省不同地区关节炎症状患者的莱姆病抗体阳性率差异有统计学意义(χ²=40.636,P<0.001),琼中县阳性率最高,为8.81%(14/159);儋州市阳性率次之,为5.62%(5/89);东方市阳性率最低,为0.51%(2/394)。莱姆病血清抗体阳性率男性及女性分别是2.79%(33/1 182)和2.57%(29/1 129);各年龄组间的抗体阳性率在1.74%~3.64%,在性别和年龄间差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.110,P=0.740;χ²=1.938,P=0.747)。结论海南省8个市(县)均存在伯氏疏螺旋体感染导致的关节炎症状患者,但莱姆病抗体阳性率各市(县)存在差异,以琼中县最高。     

基于集成神经网络的类风湿关节炎中医证候分类研究

目的 针对基于AI技术的类风湿关节炎（RA）中医证候多标签分类中存在标签关联性差、泛化性能低等问题,提出构建一种集成神经网络模型来实现RA中医证候分类,并探究其中的特征重要性和风险因素,为RA的诊断和治疗提供参考。方法 本文提出一种集成神经网络模型实现RA中医证候分类。该模型采用一种基于多层神经网络的基分类器提取临床RA多标签样本的深层特征,增强RA特征区分度,根据协方差理论衡量标签相关性,调节分类器链的输入空间,减少RA错误信息传播和冗余度,采用集成学习方法减小分类器链中不合理标签序列对RA特征分类的影响。结果 该模型在10折交叉验证性能参数中表现出优秀的性能,其中汉明损失、1-错误率、准确率和F1值分别为0.0036、0.0248、97.52%、99.18%。与其他常用多标签分类器相比,该模型的性能更为优秀具有更好的分类性能。此外,本文分析了RA中医证候特征重要性,并挖掘了潜在的风险因素。结论 基于集成神经网络模型的RA中医证候分类器具有较高的分类精度和效率,对于RA的临床诊断和治疗具有重要参考价值。